HIL: All-round Kalinga Lancers aim for ultimate glory – Preview, Squad

The Hockey India League is all set to return to screens following a seven-year-long hiatus. The premier franchise-based competition is slated to commence with the men's event on December 28 before the inaugural women's event of the league is held on January 12.

While a total of eight teams will compete in the men's league, the women's competition will see four teams in action.

The teams were formed following an intense three-day auction in October with team owners splurging lakhs of rupees to get themselves battle-ready.

With the renewed HIL just days away, we take a look at how the Kalinga Lancers stack up ahead of the season:

Kalinga Lancers Squad

The Kalinga Lancers were undoubtedly the most judicious spenders in the 2024 Hockey India League auction. The team based out of Odisha was the only team to not spend more than 40 lakh on any individual player.

Their biggest buys of the auction were Indian defender Sanjay and Dutch Olympic gold medal-winning captain Thierry Brinkman – both for an identical amount of Rs 38 lakh. 

Apart from Sanjay, they also have the Belgian pair of Alexander Hendrickx and Arthur van Doren in the backline in what is a world-class defensive setup. Hendrickx is also one of the most feared drag-flickers in the world and Lancers got him in for just Rs 23 lakh – a proper steal deal. 

India's Rabichandra Moirangthem and Australian star Aran Zalewski will be expected to shore up the midfield along with Nicholas Bandurak of England.

Brinkman, without a doubt, will lead the frontline with Indian internationals Boby Singh Dhami and Dilpreet Singh for the company.

Krishan Pathak – PR Sreejesh's understudy for a long – should be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Lancers ahead of the young Sahil Nayak and Reynolds Cotterill Toby.

Goalkeepers: Sahil Kumar Nayak, Reynolds Cotterill Toby, Krishan Phatak 

Defenders: Sushil Dhanwar, Antoine Kima, Partap Lakra, Van Doren Arthur, Enrique Gonzalez, Rohit Kullu, Hendrickx Alexander, Mandeep Mor, Sanjay 

Midfielders: Aran Zalewski, Rosan Kujur, Rabichandra Moirangthem, Nicholas Bandurak, Mukesh Toppo, Roshan Minz

Forwards: Gursahibjit Singh, Angad Bir Singh, Deepak Pardhan, Thierry Brinkman, Boby Singh Dhami, Dilpreet Singh

Strength and Weakness

The defensive line is where the strength lies for Kalinga Lancers. With Hendrickx, van Doren, and Sanjay working in tandem, it would be difficult for the opponents to breach through the circle and score. Apart from sitting back deep and defending, the Belgian duo is also capable of creating play from the back.

They also seem to have a good Indian core with the likes of Pathak, Moirangthem, Dhami, Dilpreet, and others, which should hold them together.

The mid-field does seem like a bit of a concern for the Lancers but with Zalewski in the mix as the captain of the team, they would hope it does not blow up as a big issue.

Kalinga Lancers Fixtures

30 December: Kalinga Lancers v/s UP Rudras

3 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Tamil Nadu Dragons

5 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Soorma Hockey Club

7 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Rarh Bengal Tigers

9 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Team Gonasika

12 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Hyderabad Toofans

16 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Delhi SG Pipers

19 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Delhi SG Pipers

24 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Rarh Bengal Tigers

27 January: Kalinga Lancers v/s Soorma Hockey Club